Pulled by the fear of failure,Pushed by a need to please,You whisper a single English word – “dog,”peek up from the corner of your slant eyes;and hope for words of praise from thispale skinned grandmother of another world.

River Lights 2nd Edition

A TRIBUTE TO WOMANKIND

The Harless Clan

Parker and Jordan

Grandkids on a holiday in Seattle

Marcus

My grandson with a million dollar smile!

Nancy with a few of the young soldiers serving in Kosovo

Nancy holds one of the "forgotten babies" of Kosovo

The mixed blood babies that were the result of rapes were not accepted by either the Muslins or the Orthadox. Ironically,they were not eligible either for international adoption. They were growing up in the hospital without parents.

I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.”- Edith Cavell

A woman from the village Latnice, Kosovo

With the MCH team in Hoghoost

To explore the unknown and the familiar , distant and near, and to record in detail with the eyes of a child, any beauty of the flesh or otherwise, horror, irony, traces of utopia or hell. – Dan Elton

Nancy with her Maternal child Health Team in Kosovo

Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” – Mark Jenkins

Life comes Down to a few moments. This is one of them.

by Tami Nicks

In my over 70 years of life, I have traveled over 135 countries in the world, seen much and met countless beautiful people and wonderful children. But I must say this strongly, 'Tibetan people are unique, and Tibetan culture is unique and we must preserve them both, if the what they have naturally can be further cultivated and nurtured in a right environment.'I think, just like Mozart was born to compose without being taught how to, these Tibetan Children are born with compassion in their DNA. They tend to think naturally to put 'others before self.' In this day and age, how is this possible? Maybe because Tibetans are all reincarnations of those with this tradition long, long before? Maybe because it is in their Genes? Or maybe it is due to their mothers' early attitude and behavior? ~ Doctor Kazuko (founder of the Tibetan House Orphanage in Twang, Tibet.

35 inches of Pure Humanity

Little Andu

Andu and her Bunkmate

the children sleep two to a cot in the unheated bedrooms.

Little Andu at the Dichee Orphange

Llasa, Tibet

TAX DEDUCTION ! Available now $10 plus shipping - email nancy@onenurseatatime.org to order

All proceeds goes to the non-profit "ONE NURSE AT A TIME" toward nursing scholarships.

NURSES BEYOND BORDERS

“The extraordinary nurses’ stories in Nurses Beyond Borders have the power to ignite a movement of international volunteerism. As a nurse, this book reinforces what I already know: wealthier and more technologically advanced countries have a responsibility to help the undeveloped ones, not only through a sense of charity, but in order to promote permanent peace and security. With its insightful glimpses into universal health and safety concerns, this collection incites reflection, examination, and hope.” —Greg Mortenson, author of Three Cups of Tea

Order your copy today by emailing nancy@onenurseatatime.org

All proceeds to to the non-profit "One Nurses At A time" toward nursing scholarships for nurses who volunteer abroad.

Over Coffee with Sister Filje - WOMANKIND

"Where ever there is great love, there are also miracles."~ Willa Cather

HOLIDAY SALE !

$10 plus shipping - Proceeds go to One Nurse AT A Time

Sister Filje's Clinic was Spotless.

"Over Coffee with Sister Filje ~ WOMANKIND

Sisters are different. They heard the sobbing in the darkness. They lived through all your triumphs, all your favorites, all your loves and losses. They have no delusions. They lived with you too long. And so, when you achieve some victory, friends are delighted - but sisters hold your hands in silence and shine with happiness. For they know the cost.~ Pam Brown

Digital Release Date 9/7/10 !

"Joy in the Morning"

Seven-year-old Cassandra lived next door in a rumbled clapboard shack with three younger siblings, a teenage aunt and uncle, and her grandmother who she called Granny.

Still available through all major book sellers....

For autographed copies email womankindconnection@gmail.com

Book Event at Pella Corp

Book event for The Business Women of Corp

Reading in Pella

Nancy will be meeting with the Women's Group of the United Methodist church of New London, IA tomorrow at 1:30PM. the meeting is open to the public. Everybody is welcome!

500,000 women die in childbirth every year. It's one of the UN's millinneum goals to improve maternal mortality worldwide. Let's work toward getting prenatal care to EVERY woman in the world!

Get your copy today!

And invite Nancy to join you for the discussion!

I Am a Curandera

It is not a thing I chose. It is a thing that chose me.

The purpose of life is to live it,to taste experience to the utmost,to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.

Eleanor Roosevelt

Monks Debate the Buddist Philosophy

Every afternoon the young monks in training meeting in the courtyard to argue their beliefs. Photo taken in Llasha, Tibet

Baby Monks

Prior to 2003 little boys as young as three year old could enter the monestry. It was the custom for most families to send one son because this raised their prestige in the community as well as assured their place in the afterlife. Familes were only allowed one visit a year. But in 2003 the law was changed and now the boys must be 17 before they can enter. We saw many 'baby boy monks along our journey - little boys who only see their mother once a year.

Sign up today!

and chose One Nurse at a Time for your 'free donations' with every search!

Book EVENT at the IVY BAKE SHOPPE

WOMANKIND in Des Moines

Sneak Preview

It won't be out until September 1st

Prosperity

A long-legged woman stands on the bow of her boat,face warmed by rising sun.Silver streaks glint in her light brown hair,like sunbeams dancing in the morning glow.Nimble as a dancer she slips over the side,rising and falling in undulating waves,she sinks into her kayak.With a mermaid’s grace she paddles toward thewhite sand beach, frosted thick with pink and purpleseashells that stretches to the brink of the world.She listens to the shells, so deep they tinkle likea thousand wind chimes with each retreating wave.She hunts.She gathers.She exploresthe beach all day, filling a hand woven bagwith bountiful gifts from the sea,until afternoon’s slanted light warnssoon the setting sun will stoke world’sedge in a brilliant backdrop of fiery color.The woman catches the first wave,the smallest in a cycle of seven,and smoothly paddles the kayaktoward her anchored sailboat home.She spreads pink and purple shellsacross the bow admiring each unique shape and hue,then picks just one that calls her name,and slips the others gently over the sidereturning them to the sea.The woman has everythingshe needs;And she knows, what she needs....is enough.

Fresh from San Miguel de Allende

I recently returned from spending more than two months in the lovely colonial city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico where I completed the newest anthology in the Nurses' Voices series published by Kaplan Publishing -- Caring Beyond Borders: Nurses Stories about working Abroad. It has been an adventure 'meeting' so many amazing nurses from around the world and reading their stories. With nearly 100 excellent stories submitted, whittling the selection down to only 25 was a daunting task and I am certainly hoping that Kaplan will see to publish a Second Edition of Caring Beyond Borders because so many truly wonderful stories had to be left out of this first one! Watch for its release next spring - April 2010.

Meanwhile, check out some of the others in the Nurses voices series. This one: New Lives contains one of my stories from our time spent in Belize.( In God's Palm) And, although it's been 10 years now since we left Belize I can still see, and HEAR Felicita's thundering voice shout, "Why'd you go and take the baby off the titty?"

Intrigued? Read it! It's available at most bookstores and all the on-line outlets. New Lives

Charming Southern Fiction Up and Coming Author

How Sweet It Isby Alice J.WislerMinneapolis, MN—Following up her acclaimed and warmly welcomed debut, Alice J.Wisler againspins a captivating Southern tale of humor, faith, and romance. The loveable cast of characters inHow Sweet It Is has a refreshing depth and insight into life, turning this delightful novel into acompelling read.“Too often we get caught up in ourselves,” says Wisler of the book’s message. “When we focusinwardly too long, we miss the beauty of getting to know and appreciate others.”From a woman recovering from emotional and physical scars to a rag-tag bunch of middleschoolers, to a Dr. Seuss-quoting plumber and a handsome social worker, the characters in Wisler’snew book reflect life in every aspect—and how we make the best of it.“Everyone has problems and unexpected events and sorrows in their lives,” said Wisler. “So learn tolive with your sorrow while reaching out to others, also in need. You may think your troubles arethe worst, but there are always those suffering more than you are.”

ACEC

Helping nurses from all over the world

India - ready or Not...

HERE I COME !

Another Chicken Soup Re-Heat

Stories of Faith

And One More Chicken Soup Re-Heat

Teachers Book Club

They meet right after school - what a great idea!

Rain Song by Alice J wisler

Doctor Drita with her daughter

Doctor Drita at my Kosovo "going away" party with her lovely daughter

Please Help My Son Not Die

She was a thin woman ...wearing a baggy T-shirt two sizes too large and baggy black pants.

Doctor Drita Examines a Child

....But, when I looked into her eyes, I saw only kindness and the twinkle of humor I would learn was her hallmark....

Tooting My Own Horn

I received these messages this week. And, even though it has nothing to do with 'Womankind" I thought I would go ahead and toot my own horn. GO NANCY!

"Congratulations. Your story, “In Search of Simplier Times,” was chosen to be included in one of our “101 Best” books, representing our favorites from our library of stories. “In Search of Simplier Times” is included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Older and Wiser.

andCongratulations. Your story, “Granny's Last Cartwheel,” was chosen to be included in one of our “101 Best” books, representing our favorites from our library of stories. “Granny's Last Cartwheel” is included in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Marvelous Grands.

This year marks our 15th anniversary, and we are highlighting some of our very best stories, and reminding the world to revisit all of the wonderful books on our title list. You will notice that our books have a fresh new look, with redesigned covers and interiors. We have also recommitted to delivering 101 stories and poems in every book."

Reflections on Doctors

Womankind story, "Please Help My Son Not Die' included in anthology

Two stories from WOMANKIND were recently selected to be included in nursing anthologies - The books, 'Meditations on Hope" and "Reflections on Doctors," were released by Kaplan Press in October and November respectively and are available at all booksellers.

Womankind story, 'The Peaches," included in Anthology

"....an orderly, digestible view of the world differences through the lens of tolerance and hope.."

The Mexican is familiar with death. He jokes

about it, caresses it, sleeps with it, celebrates it. It is one of his favorite toys and his most steadfast love. ~ "Octavio Paz

The toddlers of Casa de Los Angeles

"Casa" provides daycare and so much more for the mothers and children of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

The Colors of the Mississippi

The mud green water turnstawny umber as the sun burnsa path behind the oak-lined shore,the sky paints herself a rosy shade of wonder.

In the calm surrender of eveningOle Man River begins to sing his blues,in the most unforgettable shades of indigo,deeper and darker, until sometime after midnight, he inksdown to a cyanotic sloe, dark as the devils own colon.

And there he swings, between misery and melancholy,until morning sun spills over the dark waterand the spirit of the river unfurls her silk scarf –a garnet whisper undulating in the gentlemorning breeze and slow crimson current.

You gasp in awe of the scarlet wonder,but sooner than your sigh,that ole river rolls back over, returnsto drab muddy green, and you wonderif that silk scarf was real.

By Nancy Leigh Harless

Precious child of Guatemala

Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Lifes longing for itself. You may house their bodies, but not their souls...for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you can not visit, not even in your dreams.Kahil Gibran

Kids on Wheels

We've enjoyed having Bradley & Hannah this week

Norm and Nancy in Kansas City

On the Plaza in KC

On the streets of Llasa

Travel is fatal to prejudice,bigotry and narrow-mindedness.--- Mark Twain

Children of Tibet

At the Dichee Orphanage just outside of Llasa, Tibet

Little Andu

35 inches of pure humanity

The Precious Children of China

Please remember China in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult post-earthquake time

TAPA Making in TONGA

Tapa, hand made paperlike cloth made from pounding mulberry bark into thin sheets and glueing the sheets together with tapioca glue, is how Tongans have measured their wealth for eons.

On the Beach in Thailand

My sister, Pam took this picture recently on her trip to Thailand. Her descriptions of the county and the lovely people convinced me I must visit there soon.

Laundry Day in San Miguel

Every morning women wash their laundry by hand in the public lavinderia just as they have for hundreds of years

I am a Curandera.

It is not something that I chose. IT is something that chose me when I had only eight years.

In Yorba Linda, California

Kristen, Nancy & Martha - friends from the China/Tibet Tour gathered in Yorba Linda for Nancy's book event at Borders Bookstore then out for...what else?....Chinese!

Wild West Book Tour Continues

We've headed up the California coast after a few successful book event in sunny Cal and visits with friends & family. Yesterday we drove the scenic Highay 1 that snakes the Pacific coast. AWESOME views! In the afternoon we drove the "Ave of the Giants" and marvled again at the majesty of those ancient trees - some as much as 2000 years. Think about that.

And now - Look out Washington - here we come! We'll hug the coast all the way up Oregon to savor as much of 'the ocean' as we can before we turn inward and make our way back to the Tri-City area where I grew up. Lots of fun & festivities planned there where old & new friends have a huge Mexican fiesta planned for right after the Book event at Barnes & Noble at Columbia Center (2Pm on Sat March 29th)

It looks like a fantastic day out there - sun, sand & the sea.....It doesn't get any better than this!

Womankind

Nancy & Norm leave on Saturday for the "Wild West Book Tour"

Nancy with Family from Na Lum Ca

In the Women's Clinic in Punta Gorda, Belize

The Olathe News - March 6, 2008 - Reporter Judy Southard

Former Olathe resident Nancy Leigh Harless will read....Womankind: Connection & Wisdom Around the World...Harless' book is a collection of stories about women she has encountered while living or visiting in 15 countries including Guatemala, Belize, Peru, Mexico and Panama. The accounts, Harless said, came from journals she kept during her travels abroad."It is a book of hope," Harless said about "Womankind." "These women are amazing, and it's a very joy-filled book. I hope people will be very hopeful for the world when they read it."Harless, who now lives in the southeastern Iowa community of Wever, lived in Olathe from 1990 to 1992. During her time in the city, she was employed as a prenatal project nurse for the Johnson County Health Department. Her duties included supervising the nurses and social workers who cared for low-income expectant mothers....Harless said she embarked on her first trip outside the United States in 1997 when she was chosen to be part of a month-long study and exchange program in Guatemala and Belize sponsored by The Rotary International."I've seen poverty in the U.S., but I had never seen the abysmal poverty that I saw in those third-world countries," Harless said.She also said her experiences in Guatemala and Belize inspired her and her newly retired husband, Norm, to move to the Central American country for six months in 1999. With medical supplies they took with them from the United States, Harless said she and Norm opened a clinic that spring."It was just unbelievable," Harless said about the months she and her husband spent in Belize and the work they did. "It inspired me to help wherever I can."

WOMANKIND on television

Nancy being interviewed by channel 13 Topeka, Kansas

KANSAS ROADTRIP

We took a road trip to Kansas last week to hold three Borders Books & Music books events -Lawerence, hometown of the Univiersity of Kansas and where Nancy's youngest daughter graduated, Olathe - where Nancy ran the Johnson County Prenatl Project years ago, and Topeka - where friends Roger & Margo now live. And, while Norm and Nancy agreed it was great to see old friends, we both are feeling the wear and tear of the constant book promotion. It's kbeen a wild ride this past three months! We leave for the west coast on Saturday and return mid-April. Then it will definiently be time for the book promotion events to wind down - not completely stop....just slow down.

River Lights 2nd Edition in Dubuque

A group of like-minded women gathered on Sunday at River Lights 2nd Edition in Dubuque to discuss 'Womankind". Many had been involved in medical missions, Peace Corps or other international works. A stimulating discussion followed Nancy's reading of "Joy in the Morning" & " Maria Gabriel."

The Bookworm at Potter's Mill

In consort with The Bookworm in Bellevue, IA Potter's Mill hosted a book event. A small crowd of women gathered for a lively discussion about strong, beautiful women around the world Afterwqards, we went upstairs for a delicious lunch! If you've never been to Potter's Mill you should try it! It's a delightful place that Norm and NAncy 'discovered' last year when they took their boat down the Mississippi.

Potter's Mill

Reading at Potters Mill in Bellevue, IA

Norm & Nancy in Tibet

On a Rooftop in llasa - Potala Palace in the Background

We Off the the NE corner of Iowa !

Norm & Nancy will be traveling to Bellevue and Dubuque Iowa this weekend to hold book events and to celebrate Norm's birthday. Everyone should simply BARAGE him with well-wishes. It's not everyday that one turns 67! notsonormo@hotmail.com